You are missed, John Brian Becker.

One year ago today my brother-in-law, John Brian Becker, passed away. Melanoma eventually won the battle.

In the past year he has been thought of so often by me and my wife, Patty. There have been the natural times that we have missed him, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, his birthday, and the summer ceremony in which his ashes were buried.

But there have been many other times as well. Like when I walked by a new bar/restaurant in downtown St. Paul called Amsterdam. Or when the Minnesota Fringe Festival took place. There are little things here and there that spark our memories of John Brian.

We miss you, John Brian. Everyone misses you. We know that you're in a better place, though.